It is what it is. So weâre both moving on from it and getting ready for this game.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns safety T.J. Ward warned Thursday that Phil Taylor is not the kind of guy you want to spit on, even if it's an accident as Ravens running back Ray Rice said it was.

“I don’t see any reason why you'd want to give Phil Taylor any extra motivation,'' Ward said. "So I'm sure he's going to be on his 'A' game this week.''

Ward was referring to the incident at the beginning of the Browns' 14-6 loss in Baltimore Sept. 15. On the second play from scrimmage, Rice was dropped for a 3-yard loss, and he popped up and began talking smack in Taylor's face.

But the smack was a little wetter than Taylor likes it, and he whacked Rice upside the helmet. As is often the case, the guy who retaliates gets caught, and Taylor drew a 15-yard personal foul for the hit. The Ravens missed a 50-yard field goal on the drive, so Taylor was off the hook.

But he's well aware the Ravens might try to incite him again Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

“They are going to try stuff, try to get under my skin, but that’s what every team does,” Taylor said. “They try and draw the penalty or whatever, so I just (need to) go out there and play my game, and we will come out victorious.”

Rice told reporters in Baltimore Wednesday that he didn't spit on Taylor.

"It was two guys jawing at each other," Rice said. "I had my mouthpiece in, so when I went to say something back to him it looked as if I projected toward him. But I had my mouthpiece in. I was saying something, he was saying something. Obviously, that's what happened. We'll leave it at that."

The league office determined that the tape was inconclusive, and neither player was fined.

"I got to keep my head level in those situations," Rice said. "I don't ever want to feel myself in a situation where it seems like me and this guy has problems. I don't have a problem with him. But you know what, guys talk. It's part of their game. I really don't want it to be a part of mine. I'll do my best to channel my emotions."

He went on to praise Taylor, who's having the best season of his three-year career in Ray Horton's 3-4 scheme.

"Phil Taylor is a great young player," Rice said. "He's coming along very well and he's making plays in their running game. He's a dominant force. I have tremendous respect for him. As long as I'm in the AFC North, it looks like we'll be going at each other two times a year."

Taylor, who never heard directly from Rice, also seems ready to put it behind him.

"It is what it is,'' he said. “So we’re both moving on from it and getting ready for this game. Whatever happen that game was that game. Looking forward to this game, so I will go out there and play hard like I always do."

Horton, who originally called Rice's act "one of the most degrading, humiliating things you can do to another football player" has also softened his stance.

"No, I think that's two men playing football," he said. "I think both understand — I’ve read some comments from Mr. Rice. It’s a tough game. I’m sure they’re emotional guys. One’s from Maryland, from our team, Phil, another one played for a Maryland team. So I think there’s added emotions. It’s a tough game and it’s hard enough to play without the silliness. I think both plays respect each other as football players."

Taylor said he learned from the episode that he can't lose his temper.

"(I've) just got to keep your cool in certain situations,'' he said. "I apologized to my team for getting a penalty. I play with a lot of passion and a lot of people can respect that."

The Ravens had a much larger issue to deal with after that game than saliva gone wild. Rice, who gained 36 yards on 13 carries, suffered a hip flexor injury in the fourth quarter and hasn't really been the same since. After missing one game, he's gained only 242 yards and is averaging a meager 2.8 yards per carry, far below his usual 4.0 average.

He's also a far cry from the player who's rushed for 958 yards in 11 games against the Browns, his most against any team.

“Whatever’s going on with him and their offense or his injuries, you can never underestimate him coming into a game,'' said Ward.

"We have to go into it like any other week," Taylor said. "I mean, he's a great player. He is good out the backfield, catches the ball, running the ball so just have to prepare just like we would for anybody else."

Rice told reporters this week that he's feeling like himself again.

"I have my burst back,'' he said. "I’ve got everything that I needed to get back. Obviously I’ve got my step back, and that’s exciting for me going into the second half of the year. …“My leg’s feeling a lot better, and I’m looking forward to doing some damage.”

Horton is fully expecting Ravens coach John Harbaugh to make good on his renewed commitment to Rice and the running game.

"He’s the same dangerous threat that I think he always is coming out of the backfield, running the ball,'' said Horton. "If you can get your runner 20-plus carries a game, usually you’re winning and you’re controlling the clock. So I think that’s their point of emphasis. I’m sure the injury affected him a little bit and how healthy is he? I don’t know that.''

Even though Ward knows that Taylor will have the incident in the back of his mind, he insists the defense won't use it for motivation.

“We’re already fired up,” he said. “It’s the Ravens. It’s a big rivalry. We don’t like them, they don’t like us, and that’s just what it is. We’re going to go out there, and we’re going to play that way. Every time we play them, it’s a physical game, it’s a head knocker, close games, and I don’t see why this one would be any different.”

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